Bald Patches?

[Fishybat]

Kola 8weeks has bald patches behind her ears. I know must piggies do but hers look rather large. Help! Is this an infection or ring worm or fungi. Really worried.

 

[helen105281]

It is possibly a mild form of fungal, my Mabel had it and we treated with Canesten 1% It was related to an overload of Candida I think but Kola may be a bit young for that. Will try to find the thread.

 

[helen105281]

Here you go, it was a yeast infection and can actually be related to humid or damp conditions too.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/yeast-infection-photo.112650/#post-1529375

 

[Fishybat]

Thank you. It does not look red or sore. Could it be ringworm?

 

[helen105281]

Not necessarily though keep an eye on it in case it goes crusty and sore looking. Have a look at this thread in case.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

It could well be what Mabel had though which is yeast related. Mabel wasn't sore and wasn't scratching or anything. It was diagnosed at piggy clinic.

 

[Wiebke]

They look perfectly normal to me and as long as both patches are the same size and shape, I wouldn't worry! The size of bald patches behind the ears can vary. Guinea pig regulate the body heat via the blood flow through the ears; the bald patches are there to support the air flow to the ears.

You may find this thread here from our Daily Care section helpful: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-body-quirks.58854/

 

[Fishybat]

Thank you so much Wiebke you are a real life saver. This mummy piggie business is hard work as I worry so much about them. I so appreciate your wise words. Yes the patches are roughly the same shape and size and in the same place on both sides. I had a look at Truffle and she has small ones that are very well hidden so I had not noticed them before.

I can sleep easily tonight. The girls are bonding so well. Still in dominance phase but not as full on anymore.

Thank you once again.

 

[helen105281]

It's most likely not what I said then, just looked a bit big to me but could just be that she is a little pig with huge patches.

 

[Fishybat]

Thanks Helen. I did zoom in for the second picture. Yes I did think they were big until I looked at some other piggie pics and they had large ones too. She is grey and looks more like a koala so maybe todo with her colouring and fur style. Thank you for your pics as I will know what to look for in future.

 

[Wiebke]

Some of my piggies have similar shapes; some can be quite large with a long kind of spike pointing towards the back of the neck! On the other hand, my teddies have got barely any bald patches at all.

Just have a good look at your piggies now while they are well and healthy, so you can notice any changes later on.